Fickle wind kitesurfing at Hampton but we got lucky

Session 419.  Spring has sprung but the sea breezes have not arrived yet.  Headed to Hampton for a session in frontal wind.   There were some nice atmospherics.   The first run out was good but the wind died on the way back.  I swam into the beach thinking it was all over. 

I packed up my lines and was about to go when the wind sprang up again, so Stu and I headed out for a well-powered session that redeemed our visit.   Check out the crazy wind graph!

The water was cool but not cold and the patches of sunshine were nice. 

I felt a bit "out of the groove" with so little kiting recently, so it was great to get out on the water .

GPS Logs

Kitesurfing tour Rosebud to Mt Martha and return, an excellent winter outing

Session 418. A tour to remember. Started kiting form Rosebud at 9:45 in lighter wind than was forecast. We were planning a tour to Sorrento or maybe across the rip but the wind was NW.  The best direction was towards Mt Martha so we headed there.

I setup a "SAR watch" with Simon and Duncan (thanks guys) - they were to report us missing if I didn't contact them before 4pm.  We made good progress over with some large ship passing further out in the South Channel.  The main bluff is a prominent target to aim for and I get there on one giant tack getting past Martha Cliff with room to spare.  

There were other kiters at Mt Martha and some good waves.  Some of the beach houses on the north end of the beach are precariously perched on pylons and are tipping over - the beach has serious erosion.  

Simple gybe turns were difficult in the cold - it seems to affect basic coordination.

I tacked close to shore in lighter wind on the return leg enjoying the scenery. Once around the final bluff I took a direct tack towards Rosebud and cranked up the speed.  It was chilly even with gloves, booties and wetsuit.

It was a relief when Rosebud pier came into view, I was right on target. 

This a great short tour.

Lunch afterwards at Peninsula Occasions cafe was great too.

Looking up towards Mornington

Mt Martha

Heading back

Stuart and James way out

GPS log

Kitesurfing Rosebud in a strong northerly and winter sun

Session 417. Got down to Rosebud and on the water at 9 a.m. straight into solid north wind on my 8m kite.  Stu, Tarren and James were already out.  The water was cool but gloves, booties and my steamer kept me warm.  Great surf!  The wind started around 24 knots and built up to 30, gusting to 35.

I did a few tacks up towards the pier then I did a fantastic long run following the waves breaking on the outer sand bank down to Rye.  All those waves to myself!

I tacked back on the return journey coming into the shallow calmer water closer to shore. You can see from my track log I had no problems getting back up wind.  It would have been a great day for a downwinder to Sorrento or Portsea.

Fun in the winter sun.

My (broken) little finger was fine in the plastic splint under the neoprene glove.

The coffee and pastries afterwards at Baker Boys cafe was excellent too.

GPS log

Kitesurfing at Brighton, winter is here

Session 416. There wasn't much wind in the morning but during the afternoon a strong gusty northerly came in.  Stu headed to Seaford but the wind wasn't getting in there. I drove to Brighton and set up.  The wind was around 20 knots so I pumped up my 10 and tied off on the lower rear knots.

So nice to be on the water again; there have been few good wind days this winter.  I missed the last one due to a fracture in me left little finger (fell over in a paddock!).  It was no problem today wearing the small finger splint under neoprene gloves.  

I did some long runs and a couple of speed runs back in clocking a max speed of 46 km/h.  It wasn't crowded.  There was some bay swell to surf too.

The wind strengthened for the second half hour with some gusts up to 35 knots - about the safe limit for the Union 10m fully depowered.

It wasn't too cold with booties, gloves and a helmet on but it was a chilly day.  We headed to Brighton for a nice coffee afterwards.

GPS log

Mountain biking along the Yarra flats

The wind has disappeared for a while, so it was time for some mountain biking.  I took my new Trek Remedy out for its first big ride today with my buddy Dave Anderson.

We travelled on the Anniversary trail and through Hays Paddock to get to the Main Yarra Trail then followed it out towards Westerfolds Park.  A short hill climb took as to a marvellous view of Melbourne I had never seen before looking south across the Yarra to Templestowe, Bulleen and beyond.

There are lots of single track loops that provide some nice riding and it wasn't too muddy.  We continued on to the Mullum Mullum Creek trail and followed it south to regain the Koonung trail next to the Eastern Freeway then took some quiet roads back to Surrey Hills.

All in all, a great 3 hour circuit.

GPS Log